Scholarships

• Fueling Their Future: New Survey Reveals Strategies for Motivating Students to Scholarship Success [2025-07-24]

  Wondering how you’ll manage to afford college without the crushing weight of student loan debt? You’re not alone. The cost of college has skyrocketed, leaving many families feeling the squeeze. While federal and state grant aid can help students with the most significant financial need, it rarely covers all costs, leading many to turn to student loans to bridge the gap. But loans aren’t a “solution” – they simply delay the problem, adding financial stress that can overshadow your post-graduation achievements and future plans. That’s why scholarships are a vital lifeline to an affordable, debt-free education. Unfortunately, far too many students either apply to just a few scholarships, or don’t apply to many at all. That’s why it’s so important to motivate students to scholarship success.

  At ScholarshipOwl, we wanted to know more about how students feel about scholarships, to truly understand why some students focus their time and effort on applying for scholarships, while others don’t. We also wanted to arm parents, counselors, teachers, and mentors with the information they need to help encourage students to apply for scholarships rather than relying on student loans to cover their out-of-pocket college costs.

  In June 2025, we surveyed 11,453 students on the ScholarshipOwl platform to find out more. The insights are powerful, and can help parents, educators, and mentors understand how to motivate students to pursue scholarships rather than turning to loans to pay for college.

  Why Students Are Chasing Scholarship Dollars

  When we asked students, “Why are you looking for scholarships?”, their responses painted a clear picture of both pressing financial need and personal aspiration:

  • Financial Imperative

  The overwhelming majority of Gen Z students are driven by direct financial need. Well over three-quarters of respondents 85% simply said they need money for college, and nearly that same amount (82%) want to reduce the financial burden for themselves or their family. More than half of respondents (57%) said they want to avoid taking out student loans. Nearly half (47%) feel that scholarships are the only way they can afford the college(s) they’re targeting.

  These numbers underscore the real economic pressures students face.

  • Personal Achievement & Confidence

  While financial need dominates, students are also seeking something more profound. Nearly half (44%) said that earning a scholarship would be an achievement they can be proud of. Another 16% were motivated to build their confidence, and 8% see applying for scholarships as a way to boost their resume and/or LinkedIn profile.

  This shows that scholarships are also a powerful validation of hard work and potential – and the numbers also illuminate some potential strategies that can motivate students to scholarship success.

  • The Power of Encouragement

  Nearly one-quarter (23%) of students shared that their family urged them to look for scholarships. This highlights the significant role that family support and encouragement play in motivating students to take that crucial first step.

  These findings show that while seeking financial relief is paramount, students are also deeply motivated by the sense of accomplishment, pride, and boosted self-assurance that comes with earning a scholarship.

  What Earning a Scholarship Truly Means to Gen Z Students

  We then asked students, “What would it mean for you if you are able to earn scholarships for college?” Their answers illuminated the profound impact these awards can have on their lives:

  • Freedom from Debt is a Top Priority

  The overwhelming majority  (81%) said that earning a scholarship would mean they would be able to reduce their reliance on student loans or avoid loans completely. This clearly illustrates the strong desire among today’s students to escape the seemingly endless cycle of student debt.

  • Unlocking Educational Access & Choice

  Nearly half of students (48%) said that without scholarships, they don’t think they would be able to go to college at all. On the other hand, over one-third (38%) said that if they could earn a scholarship, they would be able to attend the college of their choice.

  So scholarships aren’t just making college easier to afford; for many, they’re making it possible and enabling them to pursue their academic goals in ways that will have significant positive impact on their future.

  • A Deep Sense of Achievement and Pride

  Echoing their motivations, students expressed significant emotional benefits: Nearly half (44%) said that earning a scholarship would make their family proud. And nearly that number (39%) said they would feel that they had really achieved something worthwhile. One-third (33%) noted that earning a scholarship would make them feel more confident in themselves.

  These results show that earning a scholarship is a powerful validation of a student’s hard work and potential, instilling a sense of accomplishment that goes far beyond the dollar amount.

  • Financial Freedom and Future Possibilities

  Nearly three-quarters (71%) of students said that a scholarship would give them greater financial freedom. This speaks to their understanding that reducing college costs opens doors for future investments, career choices, and overall life flexibility.

  These responses confirm that scholarships are truly transformative, offering not just financial relief, but also agency, pride, and the ability to shape one’s own future.

  How Supporters Can Help Ignite the Scholarship Spark

  If you’re a parent, school counselor, teacher, or mentor, you have an incredibly powerful role to play in a student’s scholarship journey. Your encouragement matters, and understanding the motivations that are most powerful can help you to guide students more effectively.

  • For Parents & Family

  Your active encouragement can be the push your child needs to prioritize scholarships. Nearly one-quarter (23%) of the Gen Z students surveyed said their family urged them to look for scholarships. Here are some strategies you can try:

  • • Encourage your kids to focus on the most affordable path to college possible. Community college is a smart choice, and one that all students should consider.
    • Talk openly about college costs and the value of debt-free funding. Discuss how much you’ve been able to save towards your children’s education. And if you haven’t been able to set funds aside, you’re not alone.
      • So many families have not been able to save for their children’s education due to the cost of housing, increasing inflation, periods of unemployment or underemployment, etc.
      • Parents often try to shoulder their financial stress on their own, shielding their kids from these concerns, which is understandable. But this may have led to your kids’ expectation that there is money set aside for their education.
      • Help your kids to research and plan an affordable path to college – a plan that prioritizes applying for scholarships.
    • Set your kids up for success by partnering with them in the scholarship application process. Get them going by helping them start their free 7-day trial with ScholarshipOwl, a technology platform that matches students with scholarships best-fit for them.
    • Celebrate every application submitted and every scholarship earned, no matter the size, reinforcing that scholarships are an achievement they can be proud of.
    • Help your kids create a realistic plan for applying consistently, aiming for 3 applications per week, year-round. Explore ScholarshipOwl together, and help your kids to focus on scholarships that they are more likely to win, by prioritizing scholarships with fewer applicants, and scholarships with higher credibility scores.
  • For School Counselors, Teachers & Mentors

  You can uniquely connect scholarships to both financial benefits and personal growth.

  • • Educate your students about the pitfalls of student loans. Encourage them to focus on a debt-free path to college. Make sure they understand the importance of staying on top of financial aid, scholarship, and college application deadlines. Our checklist can help!
    • Emphasize that the effort involved in essays or projects builds valuable skills in communication, critical thinking, and perseverance. These are skills that will serve them both in college and in their career.
    • Highlight how scholarships validate your student’s talents and boost their confidence.
    • Provide resources and guidance, recognizing that students often feel overwhelmed by the process, and point them towards streamlined platforms like ScholarshipOwl. Your encouragement can make a monumental difference in helping them persist.
    • If you are a school counselor, join the ScholarshipOwl School Counselor Program to get special access for your students!

  Focus on making the process manageable and celebrating their progress. Highlight that every essay, question answered, and “click to submit” is a step towards a more affordable future.

  The Debt-Free Imperative

  In today’s economic climate, college costs continue to rise and the student loan landscape is constantly shifting. With the recent “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” legislation impacting higher education, accessing debt-free sources for college isn’t just an option – it’s a strategic imperative.

  Our survey overwhelmingly shows that students want to avoid loans. In fact, 57% are looking for scholarships specifically for this reason. Furthermore, 81% would reduce/avoid loans if they won! This desire is well-founded. Loans can delay major life milestones like buying a home, starting a family, or pursuing dream careers. Scholarships provide true financial freedom, allowing students to start their post-college lives on solid ground. Students want to be ready to invest in their future, not have to pay back past debts.

  Scholarships Lead to True Financial Freedom

  Our survey confirms what we’ve always believed. Students are incredibly motivated to pursue scholarships, not just out of financial necessity, but also from a deep desire for personal achievement, confidence, and the freedom to choose their educational path.

  This journey requires persistence, but the payoff is immense – financial freedom, the college of your dreams, and a powerful sense of accomplishment. Guidance and support from  parents, educators, and mentors can ignite a student’s motivation and propel them towards a debt-free future. With strategic effort and the right tools like ScholarshipOwl, earning those scholarships is well within reach!

  The post Fueling Their Future: New Survey Reveals Strategies for Motivating Students to Scholarship Success appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• Senior Year: Your Ultimate College & Financial Aid Checklist (2025-2026 Edition!) [2025-07-21]

  Senior year of high school is a whirlwind of “lasts,” excitement, as well as a healthy dose of nerves about what comes next. You’re balancing challenging academics, extracurriculars and your social life while also working on your college applications. And while all of this is happening, you’re also stressing about the cost of college, and how you’ll manage to pay for it.

  With so many changes happening in the world of financial aid and student loans resulting from actions taken by the Trump Administration such as the “Big Beautiful Bill Act” recently signed into law, it’s so important to have a clear roadmap to follow. This checklist is designed to help you stay organized, maximize your opportunities, and navigate your path to college and career success.

  Your Senior Year College & Financial Aid Checklist

  I. Summer Before Your Senior Year

  • Refine your college list
    • Narrow down your potential colleges to a manageable list (5-10 schools is a good target).
    • Research their academic programs thoroughly – do they truly align with your interests and potential major?
    • Visit the campuses in-person if possible, or take virtual tours if needed.
    • With colleges now facing increased accountability for student loan defaults resulting from the “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” research the financial stability of the institutions you’re considering.
      • Are they well-established?
      • Do they have sufficient funding to overcome potential fiscal impacts?
      • Are they committed to the major you’ve selected, or are there rumors of program cuts/consolidations?

  • Create a simple spreadsheet to help you organize your college applications
    • Use Google Sheets or Excel to create a spreadsheet with rows and columns you can fill in.
    • Within your spreadsheet, list the colleges you plan to apply to, along with relevant deadlines for each school – application deadlines, FAFSA deadlines, CSS deadlines for the colleges that require you to submit the CSS Profile, and any other special deadlines that might be relevant to you. For example, if you are a performing arts major and must audition, or if your major requires you to submit a portfolio of work, you’ll want to have columns for those deadlines.
    • You can also create columns for requesting that official transcripts be sent, and that official exam scores are sent.
    • Here is an example of a spreadsheet I created on behalf of a student majoring in musical theatre:

   

  • Conquer standardized tests (SAT/ACT)
    • Have you taken the SAT and/or ACT yet? If not, and if you are planning to apply to colleges that require one of these exams, make sure you register for an exam asap. If you have already taken the exam but would like to earn a better score, you can register to retake the exam. Dates for first-timers as well as repeat-testers are below:
      • SAT Exam Dates
      • ACT Exam Dates
    • Also, remember that some colleges are test-optional, meaning that you can choose whether or not to submit scores. And some colleges are actually test-blind, meaning that even if you’ve taken the SAT or ACT, the colleges won’t consider your scores when making their admission decision. To explore these colleges, check the links below:
      • Test-Optional Colleges
      • Test-Blind Colleges

  • Draft your college application essays & personal statements
    • Most college applications open on August 1st, but their essay prompts are typically available much earlier. Get started now with the Common App, Coalition App, or if you are applying to public universities, you’ll likely need to apply directly through the applicable university application.
    • Use the summer to brainstorm ideas, outline, draft, and refine your essays. Get feedback from parents, trusted teachers, or mentors. This is where you can truly showcase your unique personality, personal passions, your achievements, and your community service and work experience.

  • Leverage ScholarshipOwl to apply for as many scholarships as you can

  • • Sign up for your free 7-day trial at ScholarshipOwl.com. Our platform uses AI and machine learning to match you with relevant scholarships, streamlines the application process with a universal application, and even helps you identify low-competition scholarships to maximize your chances!
    • Make scholarship applications a consistent priority throughout senior year, and throughout college. Aim to apply for at least 3 scholarships per week, year-round, starting now and continuing throughout your senior year as well as throughout college.
    • With recent federal student loan changes, including stricter caps on borrowing and reduced options for future loan forgiveness, securing debt-free funding through scholarships is vital to cover costs.
    • ScholarshipOwl offers numerous advantages when applying for scholarships – advantages that not only make it faster and easier to apply for scholarships, but that also give you the tools you need to boost your chances of winning!
      • AI-powered weekly scholarship recommendations tailored just for you
      • Unparalleled matching system that streamlines your process – no need to do the search and match yourself; we take care of that for you
      • One universal application form for all of the scholarships in your match list – all you need to do is complete your profile when you register with ScholarshipOwl, and then we’ll port that data into all of your applications so you won’t have to fill in application forms yourself
      • Access sort and filter tools to organize your process
      • Leverage our AI Essay Assistant to help you write your initial essay drafts, speeding your application process when applying to essay scholarships
      • Apply for scholarships directly from our platform – no need to go elsewhere and have to deal with multiple browser tabs and windows, because you can do it all through ScholarshipOwl
      • Leverage our Similarity Engine to quickly apply for similar scholarships
      • Track your the status of your submitted applications
      • Innovative easy-apply options to let you “set it and forget it” – we can literally be applying you for our “no requirement” and “recurring” scholarships even when you aren’t logged into the platform!

  • Work all summer long to build your profile as well as save money for college

  • • Seek out part-time jobs, volunteer opportunities, or internships. These experiences build your resume as well as demonstrate commitment, leadership, and curiosity – qualities colleges love!
    • Paid and unpaid work creates potential opportunities for discussion in your college applications and application essays.
    • And of course, any money you earn should be applied towards your college savings account.

  • Plan your senior year courses
    • Work with your school counselor to ensure your senior year schedule is challenging and aligns with the academic requirements or recommendations of the colleges you’re applying to.
    • Interested in earning college credits while you are still in high school? Explore dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and ROP classes at both your high school and your local community college, as well as online options through any community college in your state!

  II. Early Fall

  • Finalize your college short list
    • Confirm your definite list of schools, paying close attention to early action (EA) and early decision (ED) deadlines if you plan to apply that way.
    • Update your spreadsheet that you created in the summer (see above for reference).

  • Request letters of recommendation
    • Ask teachers, counselors, mentors, or work/internship supervisors who know you well to write letters of recommendation.
    • Provide them with your resume, a list of your activities, and information about the colleges you’re applying to and why.
    • Be sure to give them plenty of advance notice so that they can fit the time into their schedule to write you a detailed recommendation that covers your background, skills and experience in a way that truly represents you.
    • Sometimes recommenders will ask YOU to draft your own letter of recommendation to help them get started. If you are asked to do this, follow our tips.

  • Polish and submit applications

  • • Finalize all application forms, essays, and supplemental materials. Get one last proofread!
    • Submit applications well before their applicable deadlines to avoid last-minute stress or technical glitches.
    • Update your spreadsheet throughout this process.

  • Request official exam scores be sent to your chosen colleges
    • Request official exam scores be sent directly to all colleges on your list from the relevant test provider.
      • Request SAT scores from the College Board
      • Request ACT scores from ACT
      • Request AP scores from the College Board be sent to colleges if your score earned you college credit – scores of 3 or higher may earn you credit depending on the college.
      • Request CLEP scores from the College Board if you have earned a score of 50 or higher on any CLEP exams.

  • Request official transcripts be sent to your chosen colleges
    • Be sure to request official transcripts from all high schools and colleges you’ve attended. Be mindful of the deadlines that each college has set for receiving these materials. Don’t wait till the last minute, as it can sometimes take several weeks for the transcripts to arrive.
    • If you attended dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, or ROP classes where you earned college credit, make sure you request the transcripts from the college that awarded you credit, not just your high school transcript.

  • Tackle financial aid applications

  • • As soon as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens (typically October 1st), complete it! This is your gateway to federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans.
    • If any of the private colleges on your list require the CSS Profile, complete that as well.
    • Gather necessary financial documents before you start.
    • Understand that federal student loan and federal Parent PLUS loan options, including annual and aggregate caps, are now more stringent. This means you’ll need to clearly understand the federal aid available and how it may (or may not) cover your full costs, potentially leading you to explore private loan options, which have different terms and more limited protections. Where possible, if you are considering taking out private loans for college, focus on more affordable colleges, such as community college or an in-state public university in your home state.

  • Maintain scholarship momentum
    • Keep applying for scholarships with the ScholarshipOwl platform
    • Investigate and apply for scholarships offered directly by the universities you are applying to – some scholarships may be open in early Fall, while others might not be open till later fall or the Spring.
    • Reach out to your high school counselor to find out about local scholarships in your community. Your high school might keep a list of such scholarships, and the school may also have a streamlined way to apply for them. Be aware of all deadlines and apply for as many local scholarships as you can!

  III. Late Fall / Early Winter

  • Submit all remaining applications and materials
    • Double-check every deadline and ensure your applications and all supplementary materials are submitted on time.

  • Monitor college portals and your college email accounts
    • Check your college email accounts and college admissions portals frequently. This is how colleges will communicate with you about your application status, missing documents, or important updates. Don’t assume that they will email your personal email account that you used to apply to the college. In most cases, they won’t.
    • Be aware that the colleges you’ve applied to might request additional materials, specific to their school. For example, you might be asked to:
      • Submit responses to supplemental essay prompts
      • Submit a portfolio or audition if you are applying to a creative major

  • Confirm financial aid documentation

  • • Ensure that all your FAFSA and CSS Profile documents have been received and processed by each college’s financial aid office.
    • Keep an eye on the financial aid section of each college portal and follow up on any missing items immediately.
    • Be aware that you might be asked to submit verification documents as part of your financial aid application. Be sure to submit whatever is requested promptly.

  • Keep scholarship applications flowing
    • Continue applying for scholarships with the ScholarshipOwl platform.
    • Apply for both university-offered scholarships and local scholarships according to their deadlines.
    • Keep up with your weekly application goals.

  • Request mid-year transcripts
    • Whether or not the colleges have asked you to submit new transcripts after your grades are in for your fall classes, as long as you are happy with your fall grades, you should send an updated transcript to the colleges. In many cases, even if the colleges haven’t YET asked you to do so, they eventually will. It’s best to get those transcripts out as soon as possible to help the colleges complete your application file faster – a completed file leads to a faster admission decision!
    • In the event that your fall grades were not as high as you hoped, it’s best to wait until you are officially requested to send your mid-year transcript.

  IV. Spring

  • Review admission offers & financial aid offers

  • • As admission decisions roll in, carefully compare admission offers alongside the financial aid offer from each college.
    • If offered university scholarships, review the terms and conditions to be sure you understand the parameters of each scholarship. You may be required to earn a minimum GPA or live on-campus to maintain your scholarship.
    • Focus on the “net cost” (sticker price minus grants and scholarships) so that you’ll know what your out-of-pocket cost will be for each college.
    • Remember that loans are funds that have to be paid back with interest, so loaned funds are part of your out-of-pocket college cost.
    • Given the recent changes in federal student loans, evaluate the loan components of your financial aid packages very carefully. Understand the difference between federal loans (now with stricter repayment options) and any private loans you might be considering to cover gaps. We always recommend that students choose the most affordable path to college when cost is a concern. Avoid attending a college that would only be possible for you if you take out private student loans.
    • With new accountability measures for colleges, consider the financial health and long-term stability of the institutions you’re considering as your making your admission decision.
    • If you’re struggling to make a final decision, visit your top choices in-person again.

  • Study for AP / CLEP Exams

  • • If you’ll be taking any AP exams or CLEP exams, be sure to study and prepare for those exams.
    • The time and energy spent will be well worth the effort because passing these exams earns you college credit.

  • Make your college choice by May 1st
    • Once you’ve made your admission decision, formally accept your admission offer and pay any required deposits.
    • Decline your other college admission offers so that your admission slot can be opened to other interested students at those schools.

  • Apply for housing and new student orientation
    • Complete the application for campus housing if you plan to live on-campus, and pay the required deposit. This deposit will likely be higher than your enrollment deposit.
    • Sign up and pay for your new student orientation, typically held in the summer after you graduate from high school.

  • Request final transcripts
    • After you graduate, request your final transcript be sent to the college you will be attending.
    • Be sure to request transcripts from all high schools and colleges you attended.

  • Request any remaining exam scores
    • Have you taken any AP or CLEP exams this year? If so, be sure to request official exam scores be sent directly to your chosen college from the relevant test provider.
      • Request AP scores from the College Board be sent to colleges if your score earned you college credit – scores of 3 or higher may earn you credit depending on the college.
      • Request CLEP scores from the College Board if you have earned a score of 50 or higher on any CLEP exams.

  • Keep applying for scholarships
    • Even after you’ve completed your senior year and committed to a college, don’t stop applying for scholarships! Scholarships are available for every year of college, and a few more wins could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for freshman year and beyond!

  V. Throughout Senior Year

  • Ask for help and support
    • Senior year is challenging for everyone, no matter what your situation. Don’t feel that you have to “go it alone.”
    • Ask a parent, guardian or trusted mentor to help you stay on top of your college applications and financial aid applications. You can also reach out to a faculty member at your school, or a friend’s parent to get the support you need.
    • Your high school counselor is an invaluable resource for navigating applications, recommendations, local scholarships, and general advice.
    • Always have a trusted adult review your college applications before submitting them to make sure that you completed everything correctly.
    • It’s also best to have someone else review your application essays to get their feedback.
    • If you’re struggling under the weight of everything, talk about it with your parent/guardian, school counselor, or a friend to get the support you need.
  • Grades still matter
    • Continue working hard in school all the way until you graduate. Finish your senior year with a GPA you can be proud of.
    • Refrain from participating in pranks or other activities that could put your commencement ceremony or grad night at risk.
    • Unfortunately, colleges can and do rescind admission offers for significant drops in academic performance or for serious behavioral infractions.
  • Stay involved

  • • Continue your commitment to extracurricular activities and any leadership roles.
    • Start thinking about which of these kinds of activities you would like to pursue while in college, as well as what new interests you would like to nurture.
  • Prioritize your well-being through senior year and beyond
    • Senior year is stressful. Remember to manage stress, get enough sleep, take breaks, and lean on your support system.
    • While this year is challenging, you have so much to celebrate! Be sure to take some time to spend with friends and family. You’ll feel rejuvenated, enabling you to keep going when you get stressed.
  • Build basic financial literacy
    • Start learning about budgeting, managing money, and understanding financial statements. This will be crucial not only for college, for throughout the rest of your life.
    • By developing good financial habits early, you’ll find it much easier to continue those habits after you graduate.

  Senior year is a demanding, exhilarating, and ultimately an incredibly rewarding time. By staying organized, being proactive about your applications and financial aid, and leveraging powerful tools like ScholarshipOwl, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth transition and a successful college experience!

  The post Senior Year: Your Ultimate College & Financial Aid Checklist (2025-2026 Edition!) appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• Your Transition to College: Skillfully Navigate the Bumps to Ensure You’ll Thrive in Your New Home Away From Home! [2025-07-11]

  That high school diploma might still feel warm in your hands, or perhaps you’re a rising senior already dreaming of next year’s big leap. Your transition to college is one of life’s most thrilling adventures – a blend of newfound independence, academic challenge, and endless possibilities. But it can also come with a swirl of nerves.

   

   

  Moving away from home, navigating a new campus, and adjusting to a completely different rhythm can feel like a lot. Let’s unpack everything you need to know to not just survive, but truly thrive in this exciting new chapter!

   

  Level Up Your Learning to Prepare for College Classes

   

  Your transition to college hinges on your academic success. You’ll need to develop the skills to effectively manage your own time, take initiative in your learning, and truly own your education. Here’s why:

  • Pacing of college coursework is faster
  • Expectations for independent study are higher
  • Fewer structured check-ins from professors

   

  To prepare yourself for these changes, you’ll want to prioritize your academics as well as develop strong time management skills. Helpful strategies:

  • Use an online calendar / day planner to manage your academics, work, and personal activities
  • Break down large assignments into manageable pieces
  • Create a project timeline with milestone deadlines that help you to continue to make progress toward project completion
  • Take the time to get to know your professors – make yourself a frequent visitor during their office hours
  • If you use AI tools for note-taking, don’t rely on those tools so heavily that you aren’t actively listening to lecture
  • Establish blocks of time each week for homework and studying to ensure you stay on track
  • Participate in study groups that support your classes

  While you were in high school, your parents and teachers helped guide you and keep you on track, but college is different. After your transition to college, your professors will expect you to take initiative, set your own pace, and be well-prepared for classes, quizzes and exams.

   

  Be Ready for an Emotional Rollercoaster

  Moving away from family and friends for the first time is a monumental emotional leap. Feeling a mix of excitement, fear, loneliness, and homesickness is something that you should anticipate, and be ready for, as you get closer to moving day as well as once you have settled in to your new home. Having mixed emotions doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for college; they just mean you’re human.

   

  It’s also important to remember that your family is going through a transition as well, and they are on their own rollercoaster as they navigate their emotions. And if you are involved in a romantic relationship, your partner will also be trying to manage their feelings. Sometimes all of this adds even more pressure to an already challenging situation.

   

  Embrace a Healthy Balance During Your Transition to College and Beyond

  • Stay connected with loved ones back home, but don’t let those interactions consume you
  • Schedule specific times for calls or video chats, allowing yourself to fully immerse in your new environment the rest of the time
  • Focus on self-care – healthy eating, exercise, and good sleep habits are your secret weapons for emotional resilience

  Explore Your Campus and Find Your Tribe

  • Get outside and explore your campus and local community
  • Embrace new experiences, even if they feel a little uncomfortable at first
  • Get involved on-campus to create new friendships to sustain you

  Acknowledge your feelings, but know that discomfort often fades as you build your new routines and connections.

  Balancing Your Desire for Privacy with the Joy of Shared Living Experiences

  For many, college means sharing a room for the very first time. If you’re used to having your own space, the loss of privacy in a small dorm room can be a big adjustment. Add to that the challenge of living with one or more individuals you’ve likely never met, and it’s easy to see why one of the biggest hurdles to overcome is understanding how to successfully live with roommates.

   

  Learn to Communicate and Compromise

  Most college housing offices now will share roommate information several weeks ahead of move-in day, enabling you to get to know your roommate(s) in advance. Take advantage of these opportunities and discuss preferences and living styles:

  • Sleep/wake schedules
  • Study habits
  • Tidiness levels
  • How you’ll handle guests

   

  Collaborate on Dorm-Related Costs and Decor

  • Discuss items that you both want to have (such as a microwave or dorm-sized fridge, printer, etc), and split the costs of those purchases
  • Interested in a throw rug, tapestry or other decor items? Consider coordinating on colors and/or style if that appeals to all who will be living in the space

   

  Get to Know Each Other

  • Find out what activities and interests you have in common
  • Learn what makes each of you unique
  • Discuss how social each of you are, and what level of priority you each place on privacy and quiet time

   

  Manage Your Expectations for Your Transition to College

  Be open to dealing with personality differences and be prepared to be flexible. Remember, this is a shared space, and mutual respect is paramount. Learning to share and resolve minor conflicts now is an invaluable life skill far beyond college.

   

  It is also important to not be disappointed if you and your roommate(s) are not super close. The key to shared living is getting along well enough that you each feel comfortable in your home-away-from-home. Don’t feel pressured to spend a lot of time with your roommate(s) outside of your dorm room. If you do have a lot of fun together, that’s awesome! But it’s not required, and you can have a wonderful first-year experience even if you aren’t close friends.

   

  What If It’s Not Working Out?

  If you’ve tried to make your living situation work, but you’re struggling, reach out to your dorm floor’s Resident Assistant (RA) or the person who manages your dorm or apartment complex. They can help you work out challenges with your roommate(s), and may have suggestions that you haven’t considered.

   

  Social Opportunities & Friendships to Build Your Community

  Feeling a sense of belonging is crucial for college success. Luckily, campuses are bursting with opportunities to connect with like-minded students and forge lasting friendships!

   

  • Campus Activities & Events

  Check out the college calendar for low-cost or free events like movie nights, concerts, club fairs, and sporting events. These are easy, no-pressure ways to meet people.

   

  • Dorm Life

  Get involved in activities organized by your dorm or resident advisors (RAs). These are built-in social opportunities with the people you live closest to.

   

  • Greek Life

   

  For some, joining a fraternity or sorority provides a structured social network and a strong sense of community. Research chapters carefully to find one that aligns with your values and interests.

   

  • College Clubs & Organizations

  This is a fantastic way to meet people who share your specific passions, whether it’s robotics, creative writing, debate, gaming, or community service.

   

  • Sports & Fitness

  Whatever your athletic ability or fitness level, you’ll find so many opportunities to get fit and stay fit while in college! Participate in an intramural or club sport, or be a frequent visitor to your campus rec center. You’ll also discover that there are many clubs and organizations related to hiking, biking, mountain-climbing, and more!

   

  • Volunteer for a Cause

  Continue or start volunteering for a cause you care about. It’s a meaningful way to contribute and meet like-minded peers while also building your resume.

   

  Safely Navigate Your New Independence During Your Transition to College

  One of the biggest thrills of college is your newfound freedom! No more mandatory check-ins, no curfews (usually), and the ability to decide how you spend your time. It’s liberating, but also comes with significant responsibility.

   

  You’ll be in charge of your own safety, your own schedule, and your own choices. This is your chance to truly define yourself and build the habits that will shape your adult life.

   

  • While you no longer necessarily need to let your family know your every move, it’s always a smart idea to let your roommate or a close, trusted friend on campus know your whereabouts, especially if you’re heading to a party or out on a date with someone you don’t know well.
  • Many friends even have an arrangement where they’ll text each other their location or share an estimated return time, creating a simple safety net.

  Making choices that align with your personal values, balancing your academic goals with social opportunities, and prioritizing your safety are all hallmarks of true independence. Learn to manage your time effectively to ensure you can get to classes, complete homework, and still enjoy a vibrant college experience.

   

  Key to Your Transition to College: Learn to Master Your Money

   

  College may be the first time you’ll truly be managing your own finances. It’s exciting but can also be a source of stress if you’re not prepared. Learning how to budget effectively is one of the most important life skills you’ll gain!

   

  • Start by understanding your income (scholarships and grants, savings, job earnings) versus your expenses (tuition/fees, housing, books, food, transportation, social activities, personal items)
  • Create a simple budget using either a spreadsheet or a budgeting app
  • Track your spending for the first month to see where your money actually goes
  • Learn to differentiate between “needs” (rent, textbooks) and “wants” (buying your daily coffee, impulse shopping, concert tickets)
  • Avoid overspending on non-essentials

  This isn’t about deprivation; it’s about making informed choices that allow you to enjoy your college experience without constant financial worry or racking up credit card debt.

   

  Earn Money for College that Doesn’t Have to be Paid Back

  To make that college budget work, you’ll need reliable sources of income. This is where a proactive approach can make all the difference!

   

  • Prioritize Applying for Scholarships During Your Transition to College, as Well as Year-Round

  Scholarship money is literally free money you don’t have to pay back! So rather than relying on student loans, wouldn’t it be smarter to prioritize scholarships instead??

  • • ScholarshipOwl is an AI-powered platform that makes it faster and easier to apply for scholarships that are best-fit for you. The platform supercharges your productivity and even boosts your chances of winning with specialized strategy tools that help you decide which scholarships to focus on.
    • Aim for applying to at least 3 scholarships every week, year-round, starting from age 16 and continuing throughout your college career.

  If you aren’t yet a ScholarshipOwl member, start your free 7-day trial at ScholarshipOwl.com.

   

  • Work Your Way Through College

   

  • • A part-time job during the school year provide a steady income for living expenses, textbooks, or even a bit of fun money. Aim for 10-15 hours a week to balance work with your studies.
    • Maximize your earning potential during summer breaks. Working full-time allows you to save substantial amounts that can cover a significant portion of your tuition or living costs for the upcoming academic year.
    • The benefits of working go beyond income – you’ll also gain valuable experience that will enable you to build your resume, build your LinkedIn profile, and build your network when you are ready to look for a job after you graduate from college!

  • Explore Side Hustles

  If traditional jobs aren’t feasible or you need extra cash for tight times, consider a side hustle. This could be anything from tutoring, babysitting, pet-sitting, driving for a delivery or ride-sharing app, freelance writing, graphic design, handyperson tasks, or selling crafts online. Leveraging your skills for flexible income can be a lifesaver!

   

  Access Programs & Services that Support Your Success

   

  The faculty and administration of your college understand how challenging it can be to transition to college. They care, and they want you to have a positive, successful experience. Numerous support services are available right at your campus to help ease this transition. Your tuition and fees help pay for these services, so don’t hesitate to use them.

   

  • Medical Care

  Utilize the on-campus health center for everything from colds to vaccinations. Services are typically low-cost or free.

   

  • Mental Health Support

  College counseling services are invaluable for managing stress, anxiety, depression, homesickness, substance use, or any emotional challenges. Many offer free or low-cost sessions.

   

  • Academic Help

  Most colleges have excellent on-campus tutoring centers, writing centers, and math centers. If you’re struggling with a subject or an essay, don’t let those struggles get out of control. Access these resources early-on, so that you’ll have the support you need to get the grades you want.

   

  • Professor Office Hours

  Your professors want to get to know you, and want to support your success. Here are some tips to get the most of your professor office hours:

   

  • • Visit each of your professor’s office hours shortly after your first class with them. Introduce yourself, and let them know what you are excited to learn in their class, as well as any concerns you might have about your ability to be successful.
    • Once you’ve visited each professor once, return to their office hours at least a couple more times during the semester. Use these opportunities to clarify concepts, discuss assignments, prepare for exams, and to explore your career plans.

  Getting to know your professors has multiple advantages – in addition be being better prepared for their class, they will also get to know you personally, enabling them to recommend you for internships, scholarships, jobs, and leadership roles on campus.

   

  • Academic & Financial Aid Counseling

  Counselors in these offices can help you stay on track academically, manage your course load, understand your degree requirements, and navigate financial aid questions.

   

  Planning Visits with Loved Ones

  While forging new connections, remember to nurture the old ones! Planning visits with family and friends can be a wonderful source of comfort and something exciting to look forward to.

   

  Don’t feel limited to the college’s annual “Parents’ Day” or “Family Day.” You can invite family and friends to visit you on campus anytime, and you might find these visits more enjoyable if they’re not tethered to campus-driven programming. This way, you can plan whatever activities and fun you like without having to work around a fixed schedule.

   

  Similarly, plan your own visits back home. Be sure to allow room in your budget for these visits, especially if your college is far from home. Families often have to stretch to afford a more distant campus, so budgeting for a flight home for a quick weekend visit can make a huge difference in staying connected and mitigating homesickness.

   

  Get Ready to Thrive

  Completing your transition to college is a monumental step, filled with incredible growth opportunities. It’s a journey that will test you, stretch you, and ultimately transform you. By preparing academically, managing your emotions, communicating with roommates, embracing newfound freedoms responsibly and safely, mastering your money, seeking out social connections, utilizing campus support systems, and planning for visits with loved ones, you’re building a strong foundation for success. You’ve worked hard to get here – now get ready to thrive!

  The post Your Transition to College: Skillfully Navigate the Bumps to Ensure You’ll Thrive in Your New Home Away From Home! appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”: What It Means for Your College Journey [2025-07-08]

  Navigating the world of college funding has always been complex, but with new legislation constantly reshaping the landscape, staying informed is more crucial than ever. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” recently cleared Congress and was signed into law, impacting students, colleges, and higher education as a whole.

  Reading through the entire Act would require extensive time and effort due to the dense legal material, so we are breaking down the key aspects of this Act as it relates to higher education. Note that the full legislation covered numerous policy areas, but we are focusing solely on its impacts on students and colleges. Our goal is to provide a clear, unbiased look at how these changes might impact your financial aid, loan options, and even your choice of institution, highlighting both the stated intentions and potential challenges.

  How is Federal Financial Aid Changing as a Result of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”?

  The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” introduces significant shifts across higher education that primarily go into effect on July 01, 2026. These changes attempt to rein-in student loan borrowing, while also increasing accountability for that debt amongst both borrowers and colleges. There are also some positive changes that expand access for Pell Grants – more about that below.

  Impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on Student Loan Borrowers

  • Eliminates Deferment or Forbearance for Unemployment or Financial Hardship

  The new legislation prevents borrowers from qualifying for a period of non-payment (deferment or forbearance) due to unemployment or financial hardship. This is a significant change, and will impact borrowers who are struggling financially. Previously, borrowers knew that if they were enduring significant financial hardship, they would be able to request a temporary period of non-payment to help them get back on their feet.

  Unfortunately, as of July 01, 2026, unemployment or financial hardship will no longer qualify borrowers for a deferment or forbearance. Borrowers will be required to make a minimum monthly payment regardless of their financial situation. More on this below.

  • Existing Student Loan Debt

  For those who have already incurred federal student loan debt, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” rolls back some student loan protections. While private student loans are not directly affected by this federal legislation, the broader environment for federal loan repayment and forgiveness is shifting.

  Borrowers with existing student loan debt should review the next section in detail, as there are significant changes to student loan repayment plans.

  Note that your federal student loan interest rate will not be changed by this legislation. The interest rate applicable to your student loan(s) is set based on the year in which you borrowed the funds. Find your interest rate here.

  • Changes to Student Loan Repayment Plans

  This legislation reduces the number and variety of loan repayment plan options to just two choices for both existing borrowers and future borrowers.

  • • Existing student loan repayment plans will begin phasing out for borrowers with existing student loan debt in July 2026. You’ll have between July 2026 and July 2028 to select from one of these two plans. If you do not proactively make your own choice, you’ll automatically be put into the Standard Repayment Plan after July 01, 2028.
    • If you take out new loans after July 01, 2026, you’ll lose access to the existing plans, even for loans you took out prior to this legislation. The legislation incorporates language that states that if a borrower takes out new loans after July 01. 2026, ALL loans taken out by the borrower must be repaid under the same repayment plan. 
    • Standard Repayment Plan

  Borrowers will have a fixed payment for 10 years to repay their loan with the Standard Repayment Plan (SRP). If you have consolidated your federal student loans, you’ll have between 10 to 30 years to repay your consolidated loan:

  • • • If you owe less than $25,000, you’ll have a 10 year repayment period
      • If you owe between $25,000 – $50,000, you’ll have up to 15 years to repay
      • If you owe between $50,000 – $100,000, you’ll have up to 20 years to repay
      • If you owe more than $100,000, you’ll have up to 25 years to repay
    • Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)

  Similar to some of the existing income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, RAP bases your payment your adjusted gross income and number of dependent children; however, your monthly payment on RAP is likely to be higher than it would be on some of the existing IDR plans, which this legislation eliminates.

  Your monthly payment with RAP will range from 1% to 10% of your income, depending on your income level and the number of your dependents. Unlike existing IDR plans, borrowers are not eligible for a $0 payment if they are below a certain income level.

  RAP requires a minimum payment of $10 per month for those with the lowest income level. For some borrowers, even a $10 monthly payment may be difficult, depending on their circumstances.

  That said, there are several advantages to requiring a monthly payment:

  • • • With RAP, as long as you make your minimum required payment on time, the government will waive any unpaid accrued interest not covered by your payment. This will help prevent your loan balance from ballooning.
      • Borrowers will make continuous progress towards repaying their loan. Even for borrowers with the lowest minimum payment, it can be motivating to see their loan balance reducing every month.
      • By making a monthly payment of any amount, borrowers will remain connected to the student loan system, and may be less likely to default than borrowers who were able to avoid making payments for a period of time.
  • Future Student Loan Debt

  If you’re planning to take on federal student loan debt in the future, you’ll encounter new restrictions:

  • • Just Two Repayment Plan Options
    •  See the above section for details about repayment plan options for future student debt.
    • Elimination of Grad PLUS Loans

  A significant change under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is that it phases out the federal Grad PLUS loan program in 2026. This program has helped graduate students finance their studies. As a result, future borrowers are more likely to turn to private lenders to be able to finance their graduate education.

  Current graduate school students are not effected; however, those who pursue a graduate degree after July 01, 2026 will no longer be able to take out a Grad PLUS Loan and will need to consider alternate funding sources.

  • • Graduate Program Borrowing Caps

  The bill places strict limits on how much money graduate students can borrow from the federal government.

  • • • For a master’s degree, students cannot take out more than $100,000.
      • For doctoral, medical, or other professional degrees, the cap is $200,000.

  • • Pros and Cons of Borrowing Caps

  Supporters of these borrowing caps feel that unlimited access to graduate federal student loans has actually resulted in colleges increasing their prices. It is hoped that by capping graduate federal loan debt, colleges may need to reduce their tuition cost.

  On the other hand, opponents warn that some students, particularly those in high-cost fields like medicine, may find it impossible to pursue their programs, or will be forced into the private loan market. It is important to note that private loans are not eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), which many borrowers have relied on to reduce their debt.

  Impacts on Parent PLUS Loans

  When viewing their financial aid offer, one ever-present option that has been available to students is the ability for their parent to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan to help pay for their child’s education. A parent who chooses to take out a Parent PLUS Loan is the borrower, and only the parent is liable for this debt.

  • • In many families, parent and child strike a deal in which the child agrees to make all of the loan payments after graduating, despite the fact that only the parent is legally obligated to repay the loan.
    • This has led to many students having greater access to a more expensive college; however, often the agreement made by the parent and child doesn’t end up being realized, leading to the parent having to make payments on the Parent PLUS Loan while trying to save for their own retirement.
    • On top of this, parents often end up taking out multiple Parent PLUS Loans to support their children, leading to crippling debt.

  The “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” still enables parents to take out Parent PLUS Loans, but now the amount they can borrow is capped:

  • • Annual Limit: Parent PLUS Loans will be capped at $20,000 per child annually for new loans beginning July 01, 2026.
    • Aggregate Limit: The total amount that a parent can borrow through the Parent PLUS Loan program will be capped at $65,000 per student over the student’s lifetime.
    • As before, only the borrowing parent is legally liable for Parent PLUS Loan debt.

  Pros and Cons of Parent PLUS Loan Changes

  Parent PLUS Loans provide an important opportunity for parents to help their kids pay for college; however, the lack of caps in prior years has sometimes led to irresponsible borrowing by parents who want to enable their child to attend a more expensive university. While well-intentioned, parents often end up underwater as they may have to take out these loans every year their child is in school. And if they have more than one child, parents may feel obligated to offer the same option to each of their children.

  Even if their child fully expects to be financially positioned to be able to repay Parent PLUS Loans taken out by their parent, the unfortunate reality is that many recent college grads are unable to manage their living expenses, their own student debt, AND the debt their parents took on for them. As a result, parents may be left holding the bag, putting their own livelihood and credit rating at risk.

  By instituting annual and lifetime caps on Parent PLUS Loans, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” ensures parents will no longer be able to have unlimited access to borrowed funds for their children’s education. It is hoped that this will encourage students to focus on a more affordable college choice, and it may also reduce the likelihood of loan default for these kinds of loans. And finally, perhaps universities will be less emboldened to keep increasing their prices.

  I Have or Will Have Student Debt. What Steps Should I Take Due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”?

  If you have existing federal loans, we highly recommend getting advice regarding your specific situation, and clarifying how this legislation might impact your existing debt, as well as current or future repayment plan options.  Contact your loan servicer as well as your college financial aid officer to ensure that you understand your loan repayment plan options, any loan caps that result from this legislation, etc. If you had planned on pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), discuss this as well to understand how to preserve your eligibility for the program.

  Due to the many changes that lie ahead related to higher education and student loan borrowing parameters, we strongly recommend that you download all of your loan documents and written correspondence related to your existing debt, and that you do so for any future student loan debt and future correspondence as well.

  Loan servicers often sell student loan debt, so the loan servicer you started with may not be your current or future loan servicer, and it is important that you as the borrower have a complete history for each of your student loans. This is even more crucial if you hope to pursue forgiveness through PSLF.

  Changes to the Federal Pell Grant in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”

  The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” retains the federal Pell Grant, which provides debt-free grant aid to students with the greatest financial need.

  • Workforce Pell

  The Act expands the Pell Grant program in July 2026 with Workforce Pell, a grant that enables low-income students attending short-term job training programs of 8 to 15 weeks in length to be able to receive a Pell Grant. As such, those interested in learning skills to train for a new career or improve their ability to advance in their existing career will have the ability to do so with shorter programs. This change makes job training more accessible, benefiting both students and their future employers.

  Low-income students will be eligible for a Workforce Pell Grant as long as they don’t have a graduate degree. This encourages working adults – even those with a bachelor’s degree – to upskill via a short-term program to ensure they can remain competitive in the job market.

  Workforce Pell Grant amounts will be prorated based on the amount of time spent in the program (number of clock hours, credits, or weeks). Note that while the maximum Pell Grant is currently $7395, Workforce Pell Grants will be lower than this amount.

  Interested in learning more? Contact your local community college to find out about available training programs as well as your eligibility for financial aid.

  • Changes to Pell Grant Eligibility

  Pell Grants are intended for the students with the greatest financial need. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” attempts to preserve this intention with certain changes:

  • • Student Aid Index (SAI) Change: FAFSA applicants with an SAI that is at least double the maximum Pell Grant will not be eligible to receive a Pell Grant. Currently, the maximum Pell Grant is $7395, so an SAI that is higher than 14,790 would make that student ineligible for the Pell Grant.
    • The legislation also removes Pell Grant eligibility for students who receive non-federal scholarships and grants that already cover the full cost of attendance at their college.

  New Accountability for Colleges Links Federal Student Aid Eligibility to Student Outcomes

  The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” introduces a controversial accountability measure for higher education institutions that are eligible to receive federal student aid. For the first time, colleges will be held accountable for the financial success of their graduates. What does this mean?

  • Income Thresholds

  According to the new legislation, undergraduate and graduate degree programs are at risk for losing their ability to use federal student aid to pay for students’ education if the college’s graduates fail to meet specified income thresholds after program completion.

  On its face, this may seem positive, as it puts colleges on notice that they are a partner in the success of their graduates.

  • • Until now, while colleges may have felt ethically and morally tied to student success, they haven’t been financially tied to student outcomes.
    • While many graduates are able to attain a decent salary after graduating, there are some graduates who struggle to find a employment after graduating, or may be underemployed despite the degree they earned.
  • Why Income Thresholds May Not Be the Right Solution

  There are many factors that may result in a graduate not attaining a well-paying job, and the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” does not account for them:

  • • Some academic programs may not lead to high-income jobs, but it doesn’t mean that these academic programs aren’t worthwhile. There are many helping professions, for example, that may not have high income earning potential, but they are nevertheless critical for our future. For example, Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) don’t have the same earning power as a Registered Nurse, but given the fact that we have an aging population, CNAs are an in-demand occupation. We also currently have a teacher shortage, but most teachers will tell you that their work isn’t valued monetarily the way that they feel it should be.
    • Additionally, students often choose their academic program and career path based on their personal passion. Some passions are more lucrative than others, and some passions are more competitive than others. As such, a graduate’s ability to monetarily succeed in their chosen field may depend on other factors more than the quality of their college’s educational program.
    • AI has upended many early-career job opportunities, leaving many new grads scrambling. In the coming years, more and more early-career job opportunities will give way to AI agents, creating a vacuum that young workers will struggle to navigate.
    • The ups and downs of the economy understandably impact employment and the job market – this is particularly true for younger workers.
  • What Steps Are Colleges Taking?

  As a result of the new college accountability features of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, colleges are already evaluating how the legislation might impact their institution, and what they can do to mitigate that impact. Some options that institutions may be considering:

  • • Eliminating or consolidating certain academic programs that are lacking the desired student outcomes
    • Improving academic counseling services
    • Boosting activities and programs that improve student retention
    • Working closely with employer partners and advisory boards to create a more seamless transition from college to career, ensuring that the college provides the necessary education, training, and employability skills to help prepare students for the jobs in their field
    • Potentially adding internship requirements and/or improving on existing internship requirements
    • Beefing up their career preparation and job search assistance services to help graduates land employment in their field

  Navigating Your Path: Smart Strategies for an Affordable Future

  Regardless of what the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” brings, your core mission remains the same: choose the most affordable and effective path that enables you to reach your academic and career goals. Here are steps you can take:

  • Accrue College Credits in High School

  If you’re still in high school, prioritize earning college credits through dual enrollment classes, AP exams, or CLEP exams. This can save you thousands of dollars and countless hours in college.

  When choosing a university:

  • • Focus on colleges that will award you ALL the college credits you’ve already earned AND give you subject credits rather than just elective credits.
    • This is especially crucial at many private universities, where it’s common to get elective credit for a required general education class that you should be able to get credit for if you successfully passed the relevant AP exam.
      • Example: Many private colleges will award you elective credit for your passed AP English exam, and still require you to take their freshman English class.
  • Prioritize Earning Scholarships

  Make scholarships your absolute top priority.

  • • Aim for applying to 3 scholarships per week, year-round, starting from age 16 up until you complete your college education. Far too many students get overwhelmed and give up on scholarships. Don’t be that student!
    • Want to really improve your scholarship game? Try ScholarshipOwl! Our platform uses advanced technology to match you with relevant scholarships, streamlines the application process with a universal application, and helps you focus on low-competition scholarships to maximize your chances of earning money for college. Get started with a free 7-day trial and see how fast and easy it is to apply for scholarships!

  • Find Out What Level of Education You Actually Need for Your Career

  Research the career you plan to have and find out how much education you actually need to get started.

  • • If you can enter your field with a certificate or an associate degree from a community college, that is likely the most affordable path forward.
    • Even if a bachelor’s degree is ultimately necessary, starting at a community college for your first two years and then transferring to a university can save you significant money.
    • Plus, if you have an associate degree or certificate in hand, you can often find a part-time job in your field, gaining valuable experience and a higher wage while you complete your last two years of college – a true win-win!
  • Choose a Stable College with Strong Employer Partnerships

  With the new accountability measures and potential for closures, selecting a financially stable and well-entrenched institution is crucial. When considering colleges:

  • • Research the colleges’ fiscal health and their commitment to your chosen major
    • Many institutions, especially those struggling, are consolidating or eliminating programs. Ensure your chosen college is fully invested in your academic path and has the resources to withstand potential future challenges.
    • Research student outcomes for your major at the college(s) you are considering. Many students focus on the graduation rate, but that’s not what is important. Focus instead on the percent of students who were able to get a job in their field soon after graduating. 
    • Talk to faculty from the college to ask how well the college connects students to internships and jobs. Find out which employers often hire from the academic program you are considering.
  • Work & Earn Throughout Your Education

  Work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summers, starting from age 16. Use the money you earn to help pay for college expenses.

  • • Prioritize employers who offer education benefits or tuition assistance.
    • Where possible, seek out jobs that are related to your chosen career. This gives you valuable experience and a future higher wage.
  • Rethink the Grad School Rush

  Unless you’re aiming for medical or law school, work full-time in your field for 1 to 2 years after your bachelor’s degree.

  • • This practical experience can help you determine if grad school is truly necessary. You might find that you actually don’t need grad school, and would then be able to avoid the time and cost of pursuing an advanced degree.
    • You’ll also find that you are better able to refine your career goals, and clarify which graduate degree and major will best serve you in the event that you feel that graduate school is needed.
    • And remember: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement and/or other education benefits. How awesome would it be if your employer paid for much of your future education??

  Focus on Earning and Growing, Not Owing

  Relying on student loans should always be a last resort. The impact of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” makes this even more clear.

  • Remember: Student loans only delay your financial burden, kicking the can down the road until after graduation, when you’ll be just starting your climb up the career ladder. The last thing you need is significant student loan debt weighing you down, just when you are wanting to fly!
  • With stricter repayment plans, the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, new borrowing caps, and increased debt collection efforts under this legislation, the pitfalls of student loan debt are even more pronounced.
  • Given the restrictive loan caps, students may gravitate towards higher-cost private loans, which should be avoided where possible.

  Instead:

  • Focus on proactively applying for scholarships with ScholarshipOwl and work your way through college to fund your education.
  • Be sure to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for every year you’ll be in college to apply for federal and state grants.
  • Choose a college that is financially secure with the employer partnerships and connections needed to help you get started on your career path.

  By taking these steps, regardless of the contents of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” you can cost-effectively pursue your academic and career goals, enabling you to celebrate your achievements and plan for your future without the burden of debt.

   

  The post “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”: What It Means for Your College Journey appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

• Stop Googling, Start Winning: How ScholarshipOwl Changes the Scholarship Game [2025-07-02]

  Wondering how you’ll manage to afford college without the crushing weight of student loan debt? You’re not alone. The cost of college has skyrocketed 1200% since the 1980’s. That’s not a typo. Given all of the economic challenges that have impacted households in the last two decades, it’s no surprise that the overwhelming majority of parents have been unable to save much – if anything – for their children’s education. While grant aid can help students with the most significant financial need, most students are unable to qualify for enough grant aid to cover all of their college costs. As a result, many students end up relying on student loans to cover their out-of-pocket costs. But loans are not a “solution.” Loans only compound the problem, kicking the can down the road until after graduation. Loans are the last thing you’ll want to think about  as you’re celebrating your achievements and planning for your future. Students know that scholarships are a better choice, but they often don’t know how to maximize their opportunities. ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game with an AI-powered smart system that streamlines the application process AND boosts your chances of winning.

  Scholarships Are Your Lifeline to an Affordable College Education

  Students know that scholarships provide a debt-free alternative to loans. But students often don’t know how to:

  • Find and apply for scholarships that are a good match for them
  • Determine which scholarships they have a better chance of winning
  • Organize their schedule to ensure they have time to prioritize applying for scholarships
  • Stay motivated and engaged in their scholarship application efforts

  In fact, most students who have tried applying for scholarships quickly give up because they feel overwhelmed. It can be tough to summon up the time and energy to add scholarship applications to the list.

  But if you aren’t applying for scholarships, those dollars don’t go away. They go to someone else who has chosen to prioritize scholarships over loans to pay for college. We’ve all heard the news stories about some students getting offered over $1 million in scholarships. That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because those students have created and leveraged scholarship strategies to ensure they can afford college without going into debt. And you can do the same!

  If You’re Googling for Scholarships, You’re Doing It Wrong

  Most students search for scholarships online using Google, which can unfortunately be a frustrating experience.

  An Example

  • You’re a computer science major, and you try Googling for “computer science scholarships.” You’ll get pages and pages of search results, so it’s hard to know where to start.
  • You see a search result titled “50 Computer Science Scholarships” which sounds promising, so you click that link. Now you get a blog post with 50 links to computer science scholarships. You click the first link, and it launches a new tab in your browser. You skim the page and discover you aren’t eligible.
  • You go back to the blog post and try the next link, which again opens a new browser tab. You skim the page and are happy to see a scholarship that you’re qualified for, but the deadline has already passed.
  • You go back to the blog post and try the next link. And so on.
  • By the time you are done, you have a cascade of open browser tabs which is annoying, but on the positive side, at least you’ve found a few scholarships that you feel are worth applying for, and that are currently open and accepting applications.
  • To keep yourself organized and on track, you create a spreadsheet to list the scholarships you’ve chosen, creating columns for name, dollar amount, and URL of each scholarship, along with the deadline date, date you applied, etc.
  • You fill in the spreadsheet for the scholarships you’ve decided to apply to, and now you are finally ready to apply for some scholarships!
  • You go back to the website for each chosen scholarship and read the instructions in detail so that you’ll know how to apply.
  • Then you complete the application form for each one, as well as write your essays, prepare the required documents, etc.
  • As you complete each application, you update your spreadsheet.
  • Once you are finally done applying for the selected scholarships, you go back to your original Google search to select another page that lists dozens of computer science scholarships, and begin the process all over again…

  Googling for scholarships is mind-numbing

  Is it any wonder that most students find this to be a mind-numbing, frustrating, and time-consuming process? The reality is that while students do understand that scholarships are an important lifeline, most students apply to very few scholarships, if any at all, because they get fed-up with the entire experience… So they give up. But it doesn’t have to be this way. ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game, making the application process so much easier!

  Effortless Access, Real Wins with ScholarshipOwl

  Instead of spinning your wheels in Google, you can apply for scholarships with ScholarshipOwl! ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game with AI-powered technology tools that are trusted by over 10 million students! When you apply for scholarships with ScholarshipOwl, you’re accessing an online marketplace that matches scholarships offered by businesses and organizations to the students best-fit for those opportunities.

  The ScholarshipOwl platform has AI, machine learning, and other proprietary technologies built-in to ensure your scholarship matches are truly relevant to you. And our tools help you focus on the scholarships you’ll be most interested in AND that you’ll have the best chance of winning.

  Tons of scholarship matches all in one place

  With ScholarshipOwl you’re able to view hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships all in one place, year-round! In fact, at any given time, we have over half a million dollars in live and active scholarships. Our database is dynamic, with new scholarships added every week, and expired scholarships removed as soon as the deadline passes.

  What does all this mean to you? It means you can skip the endless Google searches and just log in to ScholarshipOwl to see all of your scholarship matches right in your dashboard. ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game by literally taking care of the search and match for you, so all you’ll need to do is apply.

  One universal application form for the scholarships in our database

  With ScholarshipOwl, you won’t have to fill out repetitive application forms over and over again. Instead, our platform uses our profile registration form as a universal application. Each time you apply for scholarships through our platform, your profile data will automatically fill-in each scholarship’s application form, so you won’t have to do it yourself each time. No wasted time, no wasted effort. How cool is that?? Just another example of how ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game!

  Access AI-powered weekly scholarship recommendations customized just for you

  Every time you login to ScholarshipOwl, you’ll see our scholarship recommendations. We send three recommended scholarships to your dashboard each week – and these recommendations are personalized for you based on the AI built into our platform, as well as your profile data. But we also layer other factors into our Recommendation System, prioritizing:

  • Low competition scholarships
  • Scholarships with a more limited eligibility criteria (because if you’re eligible and a lot of other students are not, you’ll have a better chance of winning)
  • Scholarships with a high provider credibility score (more on that below)
  • Scholarships with a close deadline because we don’t want you to miss those opportunities

  Struggling when it’s time to write essays? Our AI Essay Assistant can help you get started

  One of the most frequently-cited reasons why students don’t apply to scholarships is because they dread writing essays. While not all scholarships require essays, many do. To combat their essay anxiety, many students have turned to generative AI platforms and tools for assistance. In fact, according to a recent ScholarshipOwl survey, 65% of Gen Z students have tried using AI to help them with their college application essays and scholarship application essays.

  So we decided to introduce our own AI Essay Assistant to help students write scholarship application essays, and this tool is accessible every time you see a scholarship in our platform that requires an essay. With our AI Essay Assistant, you can quickly generate a draft essay that is relevant to the essay prompt AND that is relevant to you, based on what we know about you through your profile data as well as what we know about you based on other scholarship applications you’ve submitted through our platform. To find out more about how ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game with our AI Essay Assistant, read on!

  Leverage our filter and sort tools to organize your process

  With so many scholarships in your match list, you’ll wonder which scholarships to focus on first. Just access our filter and sort tools and you’ll quickly be able to get started in the platform. Here are some of our favorite tools:

  Filter your matches by Time Until Deadline

  It’s always best to apply for scholarships that are expiring soon so you won’t miss out on those opportunities. You can filter for scholarships due in less than a day, 1 to 7 days, in less than 4 weeks, or more than 4 weeks. So set your filter and start applying!

  Looking to avoid certain kinds of scholarship requirements? Filter by Requirement Type and you can!

  Sometimes all you want to do when applying for scholarships is avoid the kinds of requirements that you like the least. For example, if you really don’t want to apply for essay scholarships, when you use the Requirement Type filter, select essays. When you do, our system will make the essay scholarships in your match list temporarily disappear so that you can focus on scholarships with other kinds of requirements OR you can focus on easy-apply scholarships that have no requirements at all!

  Focus on low-competition scholarships with the Number of Applicants filter

  Wouldn’t it be great if you could know which scholarships have fewer applicants? With ScholarshipOwl, you can see that information right in your dashboard! For every scholarship in our system, you can see how many other ScholarshipOwl members applied, enabling you to focus on the scholarship with less competition. Because if there are fewer applicants, you have a better chance of winning!

  Access the Credibility Score filter to focus on scholarships truly worth your time and effort

  Only ScholarshipOwl assigns a credibility score to each scholarship. The higher the score, the more confident you’ll feel applying for the scholarship!

  Sort your matches in multiple ways to see your match list the way YOU want to see it

  We’ve got lots of ways for you to sort your match list:

  • Sort by magic – enables our AI to bring the scholarships that are most relevant to YOU to the top of your match list!
  • Highest dollar amount
  • Lowest dollar amount
  • Least requirements
  • Closest deadline
  • Fewest applicants
  • Most recent

  Missing a “Google-like” search experience? No worries, we’ve got you covered with our Keyword Search!

  Instead of searching all of Google to get pages and pages of search results, you can search your match list to hone-in on scholarships that you’ll really like! Try searching for your major, or a hobby, or a personal circumstance and see what comes up. Remember that we add new scholarships all the time, so if you have favorite keywords, you’ll want to try them often in case new scholarships have been added that match what you’re looking for.

  Save your favorite scholarships; ignore the ones you’re less interested in

  One way to quickly customize your experience with the ScholarshipOwl platform is to take advantage of our “save” and “ignore” options. While browsing your match list, if you see a scholarship you like, hit the “heart” button to move it to your “Saved” tab so you can quickly find it later. See a scholarship that doesn’t interest you? Hit the “ignore” button to move it to your “Ignored” tab. That way, you can keep your match list clean and organized, and you’ll be able to work more quickly and efficiently.

  When you are ready to work on your applications, go to the Saved tab and get started. And if you are second-guessing yourself about any scholarships you’ve ignored, check them out in your Ignored tab. You can unignore them and throw them back in your match list OR if you think you want to apply, Save it instead!

  Quickly access your in-progress applications in the Started tab

  If you’ve started an application but haven’t yet finished, it can be easy to lose track – but not with ScholarshipOwl. We keep all of your in-progress applications all in one place, in the Started tab. Each time you login, check to see which applications you’re working on, and make sure you submit them before the deadline.

  Apply for scholarships directly from the ScholarshipOwl platform

  Can’t stand all those open browser tabs?? We can’t either! Unlike so many other scholarship websites that simply provide a list of URL links, ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game by enabling you to apply for every scholarship in our system directly from our platform. By staying in our platform, not only will you avoid a messy browser; you’ll also find that your application process is more streamlined. You’ll work more productively and efficiently, and you won’t have to remember where you found a scholarship, where you applied for it, or what to do next.

  Leverage our Similarity Engine to quickly apply for similar scholarships

  You know that awesome feeling when you hit “submit” on a scholarship application? Wouldn’t you love to get that dopamine hit some more?? ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game with our Similarity Engine! Every time you submit a scholarship application through the ScholarshipOwl platform, our system quickly searches your match list to find scholarships that are similar to the one you just applied to! Scholarships might be similar in terms of topic or theme, or they might have a similar requirement. For example, if you just submitted a scholarship application that had an essay question about your academic and personal goals, our system might find another scholarship with a similar essay prompt, enabling you to re-purpose that essay and quickly apply for another scholarship! How cool is that??

  Track the status of your completed applications with the Submitted tab

  One of the most frustrating aspects of applying for scholarships is simply waiting to find out what happened to your application. Unfortunately, scholarship providers often don’t inform their applicants about what is happening with their application. In fact, providers will often only reach out to the winner, rather than notifying all of their applicants that a decision has been made. We can’t solve for this directly, but to the best of our ability, we do try to keep students informed on the status of the applications they’ve submitted through the ScholarshipOwl platform. You can check to see how your applications are doing by looking at the Submitted tab.

  And extra bonus: Now you won’t have to create and maintain a spreadsheet of all your scholarship applications!! Innovative easy-apply options that enable you to “set it and forget it”

   

  The ScholarshipOwl product team is always working on your behalf, developing and executing product updates that make it faster and easier to apply for scholarships. Some of our newest innovations:

  • Opt-in to be automatically applied to ALL of the “no requirement” scholarships in your match list
  • Opt-in to be automatically reapplied to recurring scholarships so that you won’t have to remember to reapply each time the scholarship recurs
  • Email notifications for certain scholarships that you can literally apply for via email

  With these additions to our product, ScholarshipOwl changes the scholarship game by enabling you to authorize us to apply you for certain scholarships even if you aren’t logged in to the platform! And we’ve got more exciting product updates in the pipeline that you’ll love!

  Not yet a ScholarshipOwl member? Go to ScholarshipOwl.com, hit the “Sign Up” button and follow the prompts to start your free 7-day trial so you can try it out for yourself!

  Work Smarter, Not Harder

  Once you get into the swing of applying for scholarships, you’ll discover clever ways to streamline the process:

  Repurpose Your Content

  Let’s say a scholarship asks you to write a 500-word essay about your volunteer service experience. When you find other scholarships requiring an essay on a similar topic, use your original essay as a starting point! Need 750 words? Expand on your original points with more detail and content. Need 250 words? Edit and trim your 500-word version down. This strategy allows you to quickly and easily apply to a handful of scholarships with customized but efficient effort.

  Embrace Variety

  Don’t forget that while some scholarships require essays, many others don’t! Explore opportunities that ask for a video on a particular topic, a creative social media post, or showcase your visual or performing arts abilities. By varying the kinds of scholarships you apply for, you’ll be able to play to different strengths, and you’ll also discover which kinds of scholarships you personally most enjoy pursuing.

  TIP: You might be surprised to learn that video scholarships have far fewer applicants than most other scholarships. In fact, more students apply to essay scholarships than video scholarships! So if you see video scholarships in our platform, don’t scroll past them. If you do, you’ll be missing out on a low competition scholarship that you might have a great chance to win!

  Increase the quantity of your applications through easy-apply scholarships

  No-requirement scholarships and survey scholarships are appealing because you can submit the applications quickly. But your odds of winning are not high because there are going to be so many applicants. But someone WILL win these scholarships, and it could be you! And since these kinds of scholarships literally take just a moment to apply for, you should find all of the easy-apply scholarships on the ScholarshipOwl platform and apply for them. Because why not??

  BUT

  Simply applying for these kinds of scholarships is not going to be enough. You’ll ALSO want to focus on scholarships that you have a much better chance of winning – see below.

  Increase your chances of winning by focusing on lower competition scholarships that require more of your time and effort

  This is where the real strategy comes in. If you focus on scholarships that require more of your time and effort (like an essay, video, or creative project), your odds of winning will be significantly HIGHER. Why? Because most students will bypass doing the extra work required! Instead of competing against thousands, you might be competing against only a few hundred applicants. This dramatically improves your chances!

  When deciding which scholarships to apply for, aim for a mix of scholarships, ideally 3 scholarships per week. Apply for some easy scholarships, but FOCUS on those scholarships that ask more of you. These “low competition” scholarships are often your best bet for a real payout!

  Your Debt-Free Future Starts Now

  A college education is an investment in yourself. Scholarships are an important lifeline that can make that investment pay off without the burden of overwhelming debt. It’s true that it takes time and dedication to apply for scholarships. When you use the ScholarshipOwl platform, you’re leveraging a smart system that makes the process faster, easier, and more intuitive.

  You’ll find that you can be more focused, proactive, and persistent in your scholarship efforts. You’ll also find greater scholarship success – which is exactly what you’re looking for! Checkout our Winners page to find out more.

  Ready to super-charge your scholarship efforts?

  Just go to ScholarshipOwl.com, hit the “Sign Up” button and follow the prompts to start your free 7-day trial so you can try it out for yourself!

  The post Stop Googling, Start Winning: How ScholarshipOwl Changes the Scholarship Game appeared first on ScholarshipOwl.

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PhD & Academia

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